Kosovo: Milk farmers warn of bankruptcy as collection stalls

Milk farmers in Kosovo warned Monday that farms could go bankrupt if processors do not resume milk collection and restore previous prices.

Farmers protested with tractors and milk tankers, demanding urgent talks with the Agriculture Ministry. They also called for test results on dairy products to be published, saying the uncertainty has hurt local producers.

“Cows are not taps” that can be turned off until the market stabilizes, one farmer said, adding that many farms are already carrying loans.

The protest follows a wider dispute over Kosovo’s dairy sector after inspectors checked the Vita plant in Istog and took samples of long-life milk, powdered milk and palm oil for laboratory tests.

Farmers say they are being unfairly blamed in the debate over dairy quality and want authorities to act before more fresh milk goes unsold.